High School at HKIS is a time of discovery, exploration, and empowerment. You will learn not only in the classroom but also in the community, as you prepare for your future as the leaders and decision-makers of tomorrow.
Beyond academics, you can participate in service learning, co-curricular activities, athletics, arts, and leadership roles that develop your skills, character, and sense of responsibility and independence. In fact, many of the opportunities that drive our activities at HKIS are the result of student-driven initiatives. Your passion, knowledge, and vision can create real-world opportunities to make your mark in the school, and the local and global community.
Exploration and Empowerment
At the High School, you will interact with a vibrant and diverse community of peers, teachers, counselors and mentors who will support your growth and well-being. At HKIS, we aim to provide a holistic and meaningful high school experience that prepares you for a bright and limitless future.
The High School is located on the Tai Tam campus at 1 Red Hill Road. Home to over 800 students from Grades 9 to 12, this outdoor campus is equipped with spacious classrooms and bespoke spaces for creative and intellectual endeavours. Various student lounges and meeting areas are available to foster a vibrant student community.
High School Principal Team
A Day in the Life
At HKIS, every student is loved, and every student has a purpose. An HKIS High School typical day has a rigorous academic schedule and ample opportunity to connect with teachers and other students during break times and office hours. After the school day, students take part in a multitude of student clubs, athletics, and service endeavors.
Classes begin at 8:35 am each morning, a later start to meet the needs of High School-aged students. You can arrive by private car or by school bus at the main entrance at 1 Red Hill Road. Students who wish to take the bus may register with our bus provider, Kwoon Chung Motors, to take one of the dozens of bus routes from all across Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Students do not wear a uniform but must abide by the dress code and wear a PE uniform.
The High School schedule has four 80-minute periods per day, with 8 lesson blocks that rotate over two days. The full rotation starts during a different period over an 8-day cycle, ensuring equitable distribution of classes through different times of the day. It may seem complex, but students can follow the schedule with ease. See a sample 8-day schedule.
Each period has a 10-minute passing time to allow for short breaks throughout the day. The entire High School breaks for lunch together at 11:25 am for 40 minutes. Students may bring their own lunch or purchase meals from our food provider, Sodexo. The High School has a full-service cafeteria and a student lounge, serving Starbucks coffee and breakfast and lunch offerings.
Students finish the day at 3:00 pm and can take part in student clubs and High School Athletics. Office hours with teachers are also available before and after school on designated days. School buses are available to registered bus riders at 3:15 pm, 4:20 pm, and 5:00 p.m. to take you home after your activities. Find out more about the High School Athletics program and student clubs.
Student Learning
Our academic program is rigorous and diverse, offering a range of courses in all disciplines that challenge and inspire students to excel in humanities, the arts, mathematics, science, physical and health education, technology, and world languages. Courses include HKIS in-person experiences and online learning through Global Online Academy. See the course list for details, including options for experiential leadership, flexible studies, and summer programming.
A wide breadth of standards-based course offerings allows students to create a learning program that meets their interests and passions. A hallmark of American education, student choice provides opportunities for students to develop self-motivated learning, respect, responsibility, and collaboration. Putting together a meaningful academic program requires careful thought and discussion among parents, students, teachers, and counselors.
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
Advanced Placement (AP) courses extend learning opportunities by providing rigorous, college-level courses for students with a high level of motivation and a deep passion for learning. Any student who is motivated to take on this level of challenge has the opportunity to take AP courses when course prerequisites and/or teacher recommendations have been met.
Experiential Learning: Interim
Interim is a weeklong, off-campus learning experience designed to challenge the hearts, minds, bodies, and souls of HKIS High School students. This alternative education program features a range of opportunities, each one weaving Creativity, Collaboration, and Resilience into the experience. The program forms an integral part of the High School curriculum and is a graduation requirement for all High School students. The diverse program offerings include various physical/outdoor adventures, community service, cultural experiences, and internship opportunities.
The purpose of assessment is to promote learning. Assessment is a process of gathering a variety of evidence to identify a student's level of attainment of learning goals. The evidence helps students understand their strengths and how they can improve their learning and helps teachers understand how they can improve instruction. In addition, assessment forms the basis of reporting to students and parents the current level of students’ attainment of learning goals. A robust assessment system is relevant, accurate, ongoing, informative, timely, and understandable.
In Grades 9 - 12, some students receive direct Learning Support services in classes co-taught by the classroom teacher and Learning Specialist. Students with more significant academic needs may be enrolled in a Learning Strategies class in lieu of an elective. All High school students may also seek office hours support with a Learning Specialist. Testing accommodations are provided for students with diagnosed learning challenges through the Testing Center.
Student Life
Student Life at HKIS High School is full and vibrant. Students work together and support each other to build community and foster a creative learning environment. Students are highly involved with academics, sports, service, interest activities, and leadership opportunities. Caring adults work closely with students to mentor and support them to become passionate, responsible, and thoughtful individuals. At HKIS, we care about the whole person.
Counseling Program
HKIS school counselors provide students with a comprehensive, developmental guidance program addressing the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students.
In partnership with other educators, parents and the community, school counselors facilitate the support system to ensure all students at HKIS have access to and are prepared with the knowledge and skills to contribute at the highest level as productive members of a global society.
All HKIS counselors are members of the National Association of College Admission Counseling, International Association of College Admission Counseling, and International School Counseling Association. Each year, counselors participate in conferences, college tours, and various other professional development opportunities in order to ensure all students receive the best support available.
The High School is supported by eight counselors who work in pairs to meet the social-emotional and academic planning needs of students in Grades 9 to 12. Each student and family remain with the same counselor pair throughout their High School years. Along with individual planning and responsive services, counselors provide a comprehensive guidance curriculum through a yearly seminar series for all High School students. College and career planning follows a developmental sequence beginning with a reflection on interests and talents, followed by exploration and investigation of options. In Junior and Senior years, students then go through a selection and application process for tertiary education.
HKIS typically welcomes hundreds of universities to campus each year and we would love for you to be one of them! We accommodate visitors at various times of the day in various formats, but individual school visits are most often held in the middle and end of the school day. Beth Contreras is the primary counselor for university visit coordination, so message her with your schedule and we'll get you on the calendar.
As you are planning your visit to Hong Kong, please note that HKIS is closed for a week in the fall that generally coincides with National Day (October 1). We are also closed for a week at Chinese New Year, a week in mid-March for our educational travel program, and a week in the spring that generally coincides with Easter.
Visit our Contact Information page for directions to campus and a link to our location on Google Maps. The high school and middle school are located on the Tai Tam campus at 1 Red Hill Road. Some taxi and ride-share drivers will drop off passengers at the middle school gate of the Tai Tam campus, which is a few hundred stairs away from the high school counseling office! Therefore, in addition to the street address, it may be helpful to tell the driver Red Hill, a nearby housing complex, or Wellcome, a supermarket located across from the high school gate.
Please see our academic profile for the most current information about our counseling staff, curriculum, and university matriculations.
High School Community
Building a school community is key to the HKIS experience. Students come together in community in spaces outside of the classroom.
Pastoral Care / Homeroom
Students meet in our Pastoral Care/ Homeroom Groups (PCHGs) providing opportunities for students to connect in small groups weekly, have an assigned adult mentor, and engage in conversation about the spiritual focus of the school community. We believe that teenagers thrive in the company of trusted adults and supportive networks of peers.
A significant part of High School student life includes student clubs and athletic activities that enrich their learning and foster passions and interests. Whether in sports, clubs, service, or leadership, students can find something that suits their talents and goals.
