The Best Private Schools in Hong Kong

As a proud alumni and parent of multiple children at HKIS, the school is more than just an educational institution; it’s a nurturing home for students to thrive and excel. Their mission and vision reflect a commitment to fostering holistic growth and well-being. HKIS prioritizes student development, not just academically but also emotionally and socially. My children have not only excelled in academics but have also become confident, compassionate, and well-rounded individuals.

The emphasis on well-being truly sets HKIS apart. The strong and vibrant community at HKIS is unparalleled. From the faculty welcoming students arriving at school in the early morning to the supportive parent network, it feels like a big family. This sense of belonging makes a significant difference in a child’s educational journey. The student learning experience is dynamic and engaging.

The school’s emphasis on transfer goals ensures that students are well-prepared for the future. My children love going to school every day, which speaks volumes about the quality of the education experience.

The powerful alumni network is a testament to the success of HKIS graduates, something I have experienced first-hand. Knowing that my children will have access to this network in the future provides immense peace of mind.

In conclusion, HKIS isn’t just a school; it’s a community that cares deeply about each child’s growth and well-being. I wholeheartedly recommend HKIS to any family looking for a nurturing and academically enriching environment for their child. It’s not just a school; it’s a home where dreams take flight.

In a world with dizzying choices for international schools, HKIS has exceeded our expectations at every turn. The values, the quality of the teachers, the facilities, all to the highest standard.

When looking for a school, we reviewed all the materials we could get our hands on. Each institution had an impressive mission statement and it seemed that all were well-equipped to provide a quality education. In the end, one line in particular from the HKIS handbook stood out and guided our selection:
 
“We appreciate childhood as a unique stage of the human life cycle. We value the quality of children’s lives in the present, not just as preparation for the future.”
 
The application process was straightforward. HKIS grants an assessment to all who submit by the priority deadline. The Admissions team was helpful and easily accessible throughout. No math test here – a group play-date determined if there was a fit.
 
Our son enrolled in Lower Primary at the Repulse Bay campus, which comes with a series of age-graded playgrounds, a 25 meter pool with a hydraulic floor, and a “wonder lab” for budding scientists. Classrooms flow to open spaces with ocean views and birdsong from the mountains.  A truly beautiful setting to help settle young minds.
 
Education at HKIS is differentiated by a rigorous focus on the science of learning. Guided-play in the early years teaches perseverance and critical thinking, not just memorization. A strong support structure is in place for specialized learning in middle and high school. Teachers provide regular updates to parents, and counsellors are available to children at every grade.
 
The environment is wonderfully positive. Teachers glow and children speak with confidence.  Parents are given ongoing guidance on how to develop a child’s independence in problem solving, and importantly – what to avoid. The Head of School and Principals are easily accessible, each of whom has an uncanny ability to remember names and particulars of individual families.
 
Negatives? None. Our biggest surprise is just how much we enjoy the HKIS experience as grown-ups, knowing our son is happy and learning. The parent community is humble and non-competitive, and we have yet to meet a family that is not thrilled to be part of the school.
 
With just one year in school, our son has been influenced by HKIS values and often reminds his parents of the “4 Bees” – be kind, be responsible, be respectful, and be safe.

Prior to the pandemic, I had moved to Hong Kong from California in May of 2019. I had only finished half of the seventh grade and I was applying to join the 8th graders, trying to enroll on February 3rd, a week after CNY 2020. Most schools were quick to brush off my application and wanted me to repeat 7th grade. However, Stamford gave me a chance to prove myself and start a new chapter. I hadn’t been the best student at my previous school so it wasn’t hard to see why most schools didn’t want me, but I couldn’t help but feel pretty devastated, I was at my lowest point, feeling like a failure. However, that’s when Stamford reached out. Stamford was the only school that let me try classes first to see if I could keep up with 8th-grade material. I felt revitalized, the entire staff was so communicative and incredibly flexible during my citizenship application process. I felt so motivated and excited, knowing that there are people that believe in me and what I can achieve. However, things didn’t all go as planned as the pandemic hit at the beginning of 2020, making my first day at school online. I was nervous for sure, as I had no idea what to expect, and if I would even make friends. All those doubts would fade as quickly as they came, as I quickly realized that Stamford prides itself upon its character and embracing core values. Everyone, from students to teachers was all such kind people. Within a few weeks of meeting my classmates, a couple of us had already set up a hangout. I had never felt such a sense of comradery and community until I was at Stamford. I knew right then and there that this was the school I was going to commit to for the rest of my high school journey. Ever since then, I’ve never felt more at home than I do now. Through thick and thin my school has backed me up and supported me. Due to the innovative and passionate teachers, I’ve been able to unlock the full potential that I’ve always envisioned myself to one day show. I’ve found school and learning as something to enjoy now, and it’s all thanks to the incredible staff here that has shaped me into the young man I am today. One of the most important things I credit the school so much for is how much we preach mental health awareness here. Personally, I think mental health is something that often gets overlooked, but having a strong mental mindset really plays a huge role in being the best version of yourself. I feel like we teach that really well here at Stamford. I’m so thankful to be a part of this ever-growing community. These past few years have been the most memorably special years of my life. I have learned so much and could not be more grateful for all of the wonderful people I’ve been so lucky to have met on my journey, as well as all of the opportunities this school has provided me to truly showcase my talents. Go Lions!

We have been a Stamford family since its opening in Hong Kong in 2017. Despite having no track record in HK at the time, we chose to enroll our daughter in Stamford after hearing the school’s philosophy to bring out the best in all students, which will, of course, all be different in their own ways. The school’s online learning program during COVID19, which we believe to be among the best in HK, allowed us to observe these philosophies in action first-hand. We could see that our teachers knew our child’s strengths and weaknesses and provided personalized assignments and homework. This is especially true in her Mandarin learning. My child’s Mandarin has improved tremendously during her two years on the bilingual track – we should also emphasize that there are no Mandarin speakers in our family. In particular, we are thankful for our teachers who have encouraged us to trust our child and be more hands-off with things such as homework, and now our daughter has grown into an independent person who can think on her own and discuss thoughts and ideas openly. Above all else, school continues to be fun, and our child loves to go to school every morning. Needless to say, the quality of the teachers at Stamford has been excellent. Teachers have been eager to help us not only in academic areas but also in our child’s emotions and relationships with friends during her early years. The administration’s communication and dealings with various issues in HK over the past few years have been pragmatic and swift. After five years of being a Stamford family, we are excited for our younger daughter to join Stamford’s Pre-primary program next year also. We would highly recommend other parents to join as well!

Five years ago, our family relocated to Hong Kong from the US. My husband and I, and our 7-year-old son Nick, made an advance trip to HK to visit schools and view accommodations. We were captivated by this fast-paced city, its natural surroundings, and cultural offerings and it was easy to imagine us living here for a while. The most daunting part was finding the right school for Nick as Hong Kong offers a large variety of International Schools and the selection progress can be overwhelming.
We decided to keep Nick in an American-style program and learned Stamford American International School was opening a new campus in Hong Kong. We were impressed by the reputation of Stamford’s Singapore school and after attending an informative presentation about how Stamford’s mission to create Students of the Future, we came to the conclusion that Nick would be a good fit. The application process was efficient, Nick was accepted in a timely manner and we couldn’t wait for the school to open and begin his new adventure.
Inaugurating a new school is exciting. Five years later, we feel part of the Stamford family with our son growing up alongside his school. Both matured together, with the school continuously enhancing its campus, opening a state-of-the-art library, chemistry lab, outdoor rooftop arena, and expanded classrooms. What makes Stamford special is the care, knowledge, and professionalism of the staff and faculty. Nick has been thriving academically, transitioning from Elementary to Secondary with the help and guidance of his teachers and counsellors. When asked about his favourite subject, Nick said that he likes them all. During the pandemic, the school pivoted to an excellent online learning program. Communication and support from the school to parents remain consistently strong. Stamford’s STEMinn and Arts program are key strengths of the school. This year’s Mission Inspire Project gave Nick the opportunity to collaborate and innovate with fellow students to create and code a space attack video game. Coding is a new skill Nick is now passionate about. Frequent group projects have taught Nick to work well with others. Learning Mandarin five days a week is a plus. For the past 4 years, Nick has been on the student council, representing his class, implementing suggestions, and hosting activities throughout the school year. Being part of the school community is encouraged by the school, for students and parents alike. Smaller class sizes help teachers to build close connections with students.
A wide variety of after-school offerings introduced Nick to fencing and drama. He gained self-confidence after participating in two musical performances. Fencing has become his athletic focus. It is great to watch him grow and challenge himself physically. Stamford American International School is a well-rounded school establishing itself among the top International Schools in Hong Kong, providing a safe and personable environment for our son to excel. We are excited to be part of Stamford’s journey and can’t wait to see what’s in store next.

My child joined G1 this year and has been having an amazing time. She made tremendous improvement in most areas, particularly her attitude towards learning, where credits go to the Stamford team and her homeroom teacher! My daughter received strong encouragement during her learning in school and has been building up confidence in self-expression and learning which we are so happy to see. We also appreciate the school’s dedication to ensuring a safe environment for children, especially during such a challenging time. The admissions manager that supported our admissions process was also super helpful and kind, we thank her for taking care of us during the admission and induction period. Thank you

As a first-year Stamford family, we could not be happier with every aspect of the school. From the quality of their academic program, the support from the administrative and teaching staff, and their modern facilities, Stamford maintains the perfect balance of being a great international school while still having a smaller and more personalized feel. We chose Stamford for this reason and our two children continue to thrive in this supportive environment. As we were planning our arrival in Hong Kong, applying to all the international schools was extremely stressful since we were still living in another country. We knew we wanted to continue with the American curriculum and had several schools to choose from. The Stamford admissions team was amazing. They were responsive to all our emails, even down to the specific question of school bus routes and pickup and drop-off times. They made an effort to get to know us and we did not feel like just another number in the application process. The personal emails from the teachers and administrative staff checking in with us during COVID virtual learning are a testament to their warm and welcoming environment.
In terms of the academic curriculum, Stamford has it all from the sciences, the arts, and physical education. Their smaller and more personalized approach allows our children to have exposure to all these classes, even though they are in elementary school. Our first-grade son loves the STEMinn classes in the new lab and is always showing us his inventions and ideas. Our kindergarten daughter loves music class and continues to amaze us with all the Chinese she is learning. Like the administrative staff, the teaching staff really make you feel like you are a part of the Stamford community. They welcome in-class involvement from parents when appropriate and we have seen firsthand the diverse and inclusive learning environment they make for the children. Stamford’s academics have absolutely impacted our children in a positive way, fostering their creativity and desire to learn everything from new cultures to ways to save the planet by recycling. Stamford is the perfect fit for our family’s learning needs. They are receptive to feedback and continually strive to make the school and the community better in every aspect. Stamford is large enough and has all the aspects of a top-tier international school, but is also small enough to make sure every child and family feels intimately involved. It truly has a perfect balance. This is our favorite part about Stamford and you will immediately experience it when you apply.