How to Choose the Right International School in Hong Kong (Parent Guide)

If you’ve just relocated to Hong Kong or are preparing to move, finding the right international school for your child can feel overwhelming. With dozens of options and curriculums to choose from, many parents wonder, where do I even start?

At doris, we help families navigate the process step-by-step, from understanding different curricula to shortlisting schools that truly match your child’s learning style.

1. Understand the Curriculum Options

Hong Kong offers a wide variety of international curricula, including:

• British (IGCSE / A Level) – familiar structure for UK or Commonwealth families

• IB (International Baccalaureate) – globally recognized and inquiry-based

• American (AP / College Prep) – broad learning and flexibility for US universities

• Australian / Canadian – holistic, continuous assessment systems

• Bilingual or National Curricula – for families seeking cultural continuity or language immersion

Each curriculum shapes how your child learns, and where they might continue their studies later.

2. Consider School Culture and Size

Some families prefer large, academic-focused campuses like Hong Kong International School (HKIS) or Chinese International School (CIS), while others value smaller, community-focused schools such as Discovery Bay International School (DBIS) or International College Hong Kong (ICHK).

Use doris to view school profiles to understand class sizes, pastoral care, and extracurricular offerings.

3. Factor in Location and Commute

Hong Kong traffic and geography make location a real consideration. Popular clusters include:

• Island South (Repulse Bay, Aberdeen) – Hong Kong International School (HKIS), Canadian International School (CDNIS)

• Kowloon Tong – Australian International School Hong Kong (AISHK), Stamford American School Hong Kong

• The Peak – German Swiss International School (GSIS)

• New Territories / Ma On Shan – Renaissance College

Use doris to filter schools by area and see which ones align with your daily routine.

4. Check Admissions and Waitlists Early

Many international schools in Hong Kong operate with rolling admissions or long waitlists for certain year groups.
doris provides admission timelines and availability insights so families can plan ahead and avoid missing deadlines.

5. Compare Tuition Fees and Additional Costs

Tuition fees range from HKD 150,000 to HKD 300,000 per year, depending on the curriculum and facilities.
Beyond tuition, remember to budget for uniforms, transport, and extracurriculars, all easily viewable in doris’s school profiles.

6. Use doris to Make Confident Decisions

With so many variables,  curriculum, cost, culture, commute,  it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
That’s why doris exists: to take the stress out of the process by offering:

• AI-powered recommendations

• Transparent, unbiased comparisons

• Direct school contact and admissions details

👉 Start your school search in Hong Kong with doris

FAQ: Choosing a School in Hong Kong

1. When should I start researching schools in Hong Kong?
Ideally, 6–12 months before your move. Many schools open applications early and maintain waitlists.

2. What if my child doesn’t speak Mandarin or Cantonese?
Most international schools teach primarily in English and offer strong EAL support for non-native speakers.

3. Can I apply to multiple schools at once?
Yes, and doris helps you manage timelines and requirements all in one place.