1. Hong Kong International School
Ages: 4-18 years old
Number of students: 2800
Curriculum: American, Advanced Placement (AP)
Founded in 1966, Hong Kong International School (HKIS) is one of the most established international schools in the country. It offers an American-style curriculum and is renowned for its students achieving the best Advanced Placement results in Hong Kong. The school has two impressive campuses located on Hong Kong Island’s south side. The middle and high school campus in Tai Tam features expansive grounds, including a full-size sports field, swimming pools, robotics labs, music and art wings, and state-of-the-art classrooms and science labs. These facilities support a broad and enriching educational experience that balances academics, creativity, and physical well-being.
HKIS serves a diverse student body representing more than 40 nationalities and fosters a global learning environment. The school emphasizes leadership, service, and character development in addition to academic excellence. Its graduates are routinely admitted to some of the world’s most prestigious universities. In 2020, students secured places at Columbia, Brown, Harvard, Princeton, Cornell, and many other top universities worldwide—highlighting the school’s reputation for preparing students for elite higher education institutions.
2. Chinese International School
Ages: 4-18 years old
Number of students: 1500
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate (IB)
Chinese International School (CIS) is often considered one of the most academically rigorous and respected schools in Hong Kong. Its reputation is built on a strong emphasis on bilingual education, with English and Mandarin both integral to the school’s identity. CIS fosters deep language proficiency through immersive instruction and cultural exposure, giving students a significant advantage in today’s global economy. One of the school’s most unique features is its year 10 residential programme in Hangzhou, China, where all students spend a year engaged in intensive academics and community living. This experience cultivates independence, cultural understanding, and academic maturity.
CIS students consistently excel in the International Baccalaureate programme, with an average score of 39.7 and 63% of students scoring 40 or above in 2024. These outstanding results reflect the quality of instruction and the high level of student motivation. Graduates go on to a wide range of global universities, with about half enrolling in the U.S., 30% in the U.K., and 10% in Canada.
3. American International School
Ages: 3-18 years old
Number of students: 850
Curriculum: American, Advanced Placement (AP)
The American International School (AIS) has been serving the Hong Kong community since 1986 and was initially founded to meet the needs of families seeking an American educational experience. Over the years, the school has expanded significantly and modernized its learning environment. Recent developments include a multi-purpose design space supporting project-based learning and hosting student-led performances and events. These additions reflect AIS’s commitment to innovation, particularly in STEM fields such as robotics, engineering, and design.
AIS is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and offers Advanced Placement curriculum options to its high school students. The school provides a well-rounded education blending academics with extracurricular activities and personal growth opportunities. Around 40% of graduates matriculate to U.S. universities, including UC Berkeley, UCLA, and NYU, while the remainder pursue further studies in Canada, Europe, and Hong Kong.
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4. Canadian International School of Hong Kong
Ages: 3-18 years old
Number of students: 1800
Curriculum: Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), International Baccalaureate (IB)
Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS) is a non-profit, through-train school that caters not only to Canadian families but also to a diverse international student population. It offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), providing students with multiple academic pathways. Located in Aberdeen, the school’s 450,000-square-foot campus is a self-contained learning environment with a 25-meter pool, auditorium, sports pitches, and even solar panel installations as part of the school’s sustainability initiatives.
CDNIS is highly regarded for its academic strength, ranking 10th in the list of highest IB Diploma Programme scores among Hong Kong high schools. Notably, the school holds the highest global pass rate for the Chinese language in the IB Diploma. This achievement underscores CDNIS’s commitment to linguistic and cultural proficiency, as well as its dedication to environmental stewardship and global citizenship. Graduates regularly gain admission to top universities in North America, the U.K., and beyond.
5. Harrow International School Hong Kong
Ages: 3-18 years old
Number of students: 1300
Curriculum: GCSE, A-level
Opened in 2012, Harrow International School Hong Kong brings the prestige and tradition of the U.K.’s Harrow School to Asia. It is the only international school in the city that offers a boarding option as early as year 6, making it especially appealing to families who value the residential school experience. Located on a massive 400,000-square-foot purpose-built campus in the Gold Coast, Harrow features world-class facilities such as a full AstroTurf pitch, four tennis courts, and an indoor/outdoor sports complex.
Harrow Hong Kong offers A-Level qualifications, making it one of the few schools in the city to maintain this British academic tradition. The school’s educational philosophy emphasizes leadership, character development, and community service. Graduates frequently secure places at elite universities in the U.K., such as Oxford and Cambridge, and Ivy League institutions in the U.S. The school’s blend of British heritage and global vision creates a distinctive learning environment unmatched in Hong Kong.
6. German Swiss International School
Ages: 3-18 years old
Number of students: 1800
Curriculum: German International Abitur, IGCSE, International Baccalaureate (IB)
Founded in 1969 by German-Swiss families, German Swiss International School (GSIS) provides a bilingual education in German and English, blending cultural traditions with academic rigor. The school offers two educational streams: the German International Abitur and the International Baccalaureate (IB) for students in the English stream. Both curricula maintain high academic standards, and GSIS consistently ranks among the top-performing schools in Hong Kong. According to IB Schools, GSIS’s IB results in 2022 are the highest among all international schools in the city.
The Peak campus is visually stunning and has cutting-edge facilities, including a senior study room, modern laboratories, a well-stocked multilingual library, a renovated sports hall, and an indoor swimming pool. Primary students also benefit from advanced classroom technology and access to thousands of educational resources in English, German, and Chinese. GSIS graduates routinely gain admission to top-tier universities in Europe, North America, and Asia.
7. Singapore International School
Ages: 4-18 years old
Number of students: 1400
Curriculum: IGCSE, International Baccalaureate (IB)
Established in 1991, Singapore International School Hong Kong (SISHK) provides a unique blend of Singaporean education values and international best practices. The school delivers a student-centric, values-driven, and holistic curriculum emphasizing academic excellence, character development, and bilingualism in English and Chinese. SISHK’s twin campuses are connected by a bridge and feature modern facilities such as rooftop courts, auditoriums, multifunctional sports halls, and libraries.
The school is closely aligned with Singapore’s Ministry of Education, and its curriculum transitions from the Singaporean framework in the primary years to the Cambridge IGCSE and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in secondary and high schools. Students are known for their exceptional academic performance and leadership potential. Many graduates continue their studies at top universities around the world, including the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, Yale University, and the National University of Singapore.
8. Australian International School
Ages: 3-18 years old
Number of students: 1100
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate (IB), New South Wales Higher School Certificate
Catering to students from Australia and other southern hemisphere countries, Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK) offers an education that mirrors the Australian National Curriculum in primary school, with the option of completing either the New South Wales Higher School Certificate or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in high school. Its academic calendar also aligns with the Australian school year, from late January to mid-December, which is ideal for families transitioning from the southern hemisphere.
AISHK is especially known for its picturesque rooftop swimming pool, which offers panoramic views of the city skyline. The school strongly emphasizes sports, student leadership, and community involvement. Academically, AISHK achieves excellent IB results, with around 10% of students earning perfect scores and over half scoring 40 or above. The school’s well-rounded curriculum and prepare students for admission into leading universities in Australia and around the globe.
9. Kellett School
Ages: 4-18 years old
Number of students: 1400
Curriculum: GCSE, IGCSE, A-level
Kellett is a long-standing British independent school in Hong Kong, widely recognized for delivering high-quality education based on the English National Curriculum. It offers both GCSE, IGCSE and A-Levels, and prides itself on small class sizes and low student-to-teacher ratios. Kellett operates two campuses: one in Pok Fu Lam and another in Kowloon Bay, where the secondary and high schools are located. The Kowloon Bay campus is architecturally award-winning and includes an indoor pool, sky pitch, theatre, and art studios.
Beyond academics, Kellett emphasizes student well-being and character development through its robust care and positive education initiatives. The school also runs a well-structured out-of-classroom learning programme starting from year 5, which includes charitable and cultural trips to countries like Cambodia, Thailand, and New Zealand. These experiences help broaden students’ worldviews and develop a strong sense of global responsibility.
10. United World College Hong Kong - Li Po Chun
Ages: 16-18 years old
Number of students: 250
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate (IB)
Li Po Chun United World College (UWC), founded in 1992, is part of the prestigious United World Colleges network, which operates 17 schools globally. This two-year residential school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and attracts a diverse cohort of students from over 80 countries. Located in a lush, green environment far from the urban core, the campus fosters community living and intercultural exchange in a way that few other schools in Hong Kong replicate.
The school’s Education Outside the Classroom programme is a cornerstone of its educational philosophy, emphasizing service learning, environmental awareness, and experiential education. UWC students often go on to attend top universities such as Harvard, Oxford, Princeton, and Columbia. But more importantly, they leave school with a global perspective, a strong sense of purpose, and a lifelong commitment to creating positive change in the world.
We also have an article discussing the United World College of Southeast Asia (UWCSEA) that can be viewed here.
In a city as fast-paced and globally connected as Hong Kong, the demand for world-class international education continues to grow. The 10 schools highlighted in this list exemplify what it means to offer a truly global education, blending rigorous academic instruction with meaningful co-curricular experiences and diverse cultural perspectives. Whether through bilingual immersion, top-tier facilities, personalized care, or experiential learning abroad, these schools prepare students not just for exams, but for life beyond the classroom.
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