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5 Best Private Schools in Hong Kong to Give Your Child a Head Start

  • Academic Pathways. A rigid syllabus does not work for every learner. We looked for institutions offering internationally recognised qualifications like the International Baccalaureate or Ontario Secondary School Diploma (IB/OSSD) to give graduates flexible options.

  • Language Immersion. Bilingual fluency is a massive advantage for students growing up in Asia. We checked how early and how often Mandarin and English are integrated into daily lessons.

  • Campus Facilities. Children need engaging spaces to explore their interests outside the standard classroom. We evaluated the quality of outdoor areas, sports leagues, and dedicated learning labs.

  • Student Wellbeing. Heavy academic pressure requires a strong pastoral care system to keep kids grounded. We favoured places with structured house systems, counselling teams, or small class sizes.

Finding the right school in Hong Kong can feel like homework for the whole family. Between academic expectations and your child’s happiness, there’s plenty to think about before making the big decision.

From international curricula to exciting extracurricular activities, private schools offer plenty of options. You can also explore the best high schools in Hong Kong to get a better feel for the city’s educational landscape.

We’ve compared curricula, facilities, and learning environments to find the best private schools in Hong Kong. Here are places where young minds can grow, gain confidence, and make the grade without losing their spark!

How much does tuition at a private school cost in Hong Kong?

Annual tuition for private and international schools in Hong Kong usually ranges from HK120,000 to HK250,000, not including mandatory capital levies or debentures.

Grade LevelTypical Annual Price (HK$)
Primary (Years 1 to 6)120,000 to 180,000
Secondary (Years 7 to 13)160,000 to 250,000

1. Canadian International School of Hong Kong

canadian-international-school-of-hong-kong

Website

Address: 36 Nam Long Shan Road, Aberdeen

Contact: +852 2525 7088 | [email protected] 

Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:15 AM – 5:00 PM | School Holidays: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Finding a school that grows with your child can feel like striking educational gold. Canadian International School of Hong Kong offers a learning journey from Nursery through Grade 12, with a strong international outlook.

We like its complete International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum, covering the Primary, Middle, and Diploma Programmes. This gives students a consistent educational framework as they progress through different academic stages.

For graduating students, there’s an exciting bonus: the chance to earn both IB and Ontario secondary school diplomas. These qualifications open up different pathways when exploring university options abroad.

The school also introduces English–Mandarin bilingual learning from Nursery, building language skills early. Plus, its dedicated Early Years Centre in Wong Chuk Hang gives younger children their own learning environment!

Do note that Nursery pupils must pass another assessment before progressing to Early Years 1. 

Families must also budget for a substantial annual capital levy or debenture beyond tuition fees.

Pros

  • Offers education from Nursery through Grade 12
  • Provides the complete IB curriculum (PYP, MYP, and DP)
  • Offers dual IB and Ontario Secondary School Diploma pathways
  • Introduces English–Mandarin bilingual learning from Nursery
  • Has a dedicated Early Years Centre in Wong Chuk Hang
  • Provides internationally recognised qualifications

Cons

  • Nursery pupils must undergo another assessment to progress to Early Years 1
  • Annual capital levy of HK$43,000 or a qualifying debenture required for EY1–Grade 12, on top of tuition fees

2. Malvern College Hong Kong

canadian-international-school-of-hong-kong

Website

Address: 3 Fo Chun Road, Pak Shek Kok, New Territories

Contact: +852 3763 0111 | [email protected] 

Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Who says learning has to stay inside four classroom walls? Malvern College Hong Kong takes education outdoors with its Forest-Beach School programme, where younger pupils explore nature and learn practical skills.

We love how Prep 1–3 pupils tackle activities like shelter building and teamwork. It’s a refreshing way to encourage curiosity, confidence, and problem-solving beyond textbooks.

Back in the classroom, classes have a maximum of 24 pupils, allowing for more individual attention. 

We also think it’s great that the school follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, with daily Chinese lessons helping students develop their language skills.

Another standout is its close relationship with Malvern College UK, which provides educational oversight and quality assurance. This British connection complements the school’s emphasis on academic development and pastoral care.

However, a financial catch is the HK$42,000 annual capital levy for pupils without qualifying nomination rights. 

The school doesn’t offer standard sibling tuition discounts either, which can add up for families with several children.

Pros

  • Offers a dedicated Forest-Beach School programme for Prep 1–3 pupils
  • Encourages outdoor learning, teamwork, and problem-solving
  • Caps class sizes at 24 pupils
  • Follows the complete International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum
  • Provides daily Chinese language lessons, with some exceptions
  • Maintains close educational ties with Malvern College UK
  • Emphasises personalised learning and pastoral care

Cons

  • Requires a HK$42,000 annual capital levy for pupils without qualifying nomination rights
  • Doesn’t offer standard sibling tuition discounts

3. Hong Kong Academy

hong-kong-academy

Website

Address: 33 Wai Man Rd, Sai Kung, New Territories

Contact: +852 2655 1111 | [email protected] 

Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM – 5:00 PM

Moving to Hong Kong halfway through the school year? Hong Kong Academy makes one less thing a headache with year-round applications and flexible mid-term admissions, subject to availability.

We like its two-teacher approach in every classroom from Pre-K through Grade 5. With smaller classes, pupils get more opportunities for individual attention and support.

As students grow, the school takes a refreshingly flexible approach to graduation. They work towards both the HKA Diploma and Global Citizen Diploma, combining academic learning with community engagement.

For those eyeing universities abroad, there’s the option to pursue the full International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. This gives older students another academic pathway without making the qualification compulsory for everyone.

That said, HKA doesn’t offer boarding facilities, so overseas pupils need suitable accommodation. 

Those living away from their parents must also have guardianship arrangements approved by the Head of School.

Pros

  • Accepts year-round applications and mid-term admissions, subject to availability
  • Provides at least two teachers per classroom from Pre-K through Grade 5
  • Offers smaller class sizes for more individual attention
  • Provides HKA Diploma and Global Citizen Diploma pathways
  • Offers the full International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma as an additional option
  • Encourages community engagement and global citizenship

Cons

  • Doesn’t offer boarding facilities
  • Requires Head of School approval for guardianship arrangements when pupils live away from their parents

4. Yew Chung International School Secondary

yew-chung-international-school-secondary

Website

Address: 3 To Fuk Road, Kowloon Tong

Contact: +852 2336 3443 | Fax: +852 2337 5370

Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM

East meets West in more ways than one at Yew Chung International School. Its Western and Chinese Co-Principals share leadership duties, bringing two educational perspectives to the table.

We like how its Years 7–9 curriculum draws on teaching approaches from five countries. This gives pupils a well-rounded foundation before tackling more advanced studies.

Meanwhile, daily Mandarin lessons help students strengthen their language skills at their own pace. The school groups learners by proficiency, so beginners and fluent speakers receive appropriate instruction.

For older pupils, the academic journey continues through IGCSE and International Baccalaureate (IB) studies. 

Plus, a dedicated guidance team helps teenagers navigate subject choices, career plans, and university applications.

But one limitation is that the school can only admit pupils whose learning needs match its available support services. 

Secondary applications also carry a non-refundable HK$1,000 fee, regardless of the admission outcome.

Pros

  • Features shared leadership between Western and Chinese Co-Principals
  • Offers a Years 7–9 curriculum influenced by five countries
  • Provides daily Mandarin lessons tailored to language proficiency
  • Offers IGCSE and International Baccalaureate (IB) pathways
  • Has a dedicated careers and university guidance team
  • Supports subject selection, career planning, and university applications

Cons

  • Can only admit pupils whose learning needs fall within its available support services
  • Charges a non-refundable HK$1,000 secondary application fee

5. French International School of Hong Kong – Blue Pool Road Campus

french-international-school-of-hong-kong-blue-pool-road-campus

Website

Address: 165 Blue Pool Road, Happy Valley

Contact: +852 2892 3663 | +852 2892 3603

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM

French flair meets international education at French International School’s Blue Pool Road campus. Established in 1964, the school became Hong Kong’s first IB World School in 1988.

We like how families can choose between the French national curriculum and an English-taught International Stream. Each offers a distinct academic pathway, giving parents more flexibility when planning their child’s education.

Better yet, students in the International Stream learn French alongside their regular subjects. It’s a lovely way to introduce another language while exploring different cultural perspectives.

For university-bound teenagers, the school offers guidance that goes well beyond France. Its dedicated counsellors specialise in different regions, helping students navigate applications across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific.

However, some classes finish as late as 5:30 PM. 

Also, new enrolments require a debenture, with the private option costing HK$120,000 per pupil.

Pros

  • Hong Kong’s first IB World School, authorised in 1988
  • Offers French national and English-medium International Streams
  • Provides distinct academic pathways leading to the French Baccalauréat or IB Diploma
  • Includes French language learning in the International Stream
  • Promotes multilingual learning and cultural awareness
  • Offers dedicated university guidance with regional specialists
  • Supports university applications across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific

Cons

  • Some classes finish as late as 5:30 PM
  • Requires a debenture for new enrolments
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