ITS News

New for 2023: Hong Kong International Schools

From new schools to new programmes, here are just a few of the latest development in schools in the 852.

ANJISI SCHOOL

Updated 10/02/2023

Anjisi School is opening in 2023 and will be located in Kam Tin, Yuen Long. The new 150,000 sq ft campus will be the latest addition to Anchor’s existing family of nurseries and kindergartens, located in Fuller Gardens, Constellation Cove, and Fanling. Anjisi will offer a blended “local international curriculum” with instruction in English, Cantonese and Mandarin that will prepare students for the IB or GCSE at secondary school. https://www.anchors.edu.hk

MALVERN COLLEGE PRE-SCHOOL HONG KONG

Updated 10/02/2023

In January 2023, Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong started offering Enrichment Classes for children aged 2.5-5 years aimed at enhancing and extending their interests and skills in-particular areas. These classes include LEGO Robotics, Pastel Nagomi Art and Dot Painting, Taekwondo, STEM Workshop and STEAM Enrichment. www.malvernpreschool.hk

STAMFORD AMERICAN SCHOOL(SAIS) HONG KONG

Updated 10/02/2023

At the end of this academic year, SAIS will celebrate its first graduating cohort. In addition, the school’s Cornerstone programme, launched in 2020 with four partners, has expanded to ten options for students in Grade 9 and 10. Stamford proudly presents 10 projects with distinct focuses that reflect students’ ambitions and strengths: architecture, future-focused design thinking, e-commerce entrepreneurship, game design, finance industry, film making, biotechnology, food and beverage industry, engineering and visual art. All students complete four industry-related projects under the guidance of industry expert mentors and Stamford faculty. www.sais.edu.hk/curriclum/cornerstones-program

NEW PRIVATE SCHOOL IN HONG KONG

Updated 10/02/2023

Hong Kong will be opening its first mainland equivalent, private school, in the Hong Kong Wetland Park, providing a mainland Chinese curriculum to cater to mainland families. Completion is expected around the 2025-26 school year. The demand for Mainland curriculum school places in Hong Kong is expected to rise because of the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong's efforts to promote the interflow of talents with the Mainland. For further information, click here: www.info.gov.hk/gia/general

Top 25 Questions for a School Tour

Bring a list with you to make sure you don’t forget anything

Updated 27/09/2022

Are you planning to attend a virtual or physical school tour? There are so many good international schools in Hong Kong, how do you know which school is right for your child? What information is really necessary for you to make the best decision? During a tour or information session, you will have the opportunity to ask questions to help your decision-making.

Below is a list of 20 questions you will want to consider asking when searching for the right-fit school for your child.

JUST ASK!

1. How is you school’s philosophy and mission incorporated into a typical school day?
2. What is the average class size and/or student-to-teacher ratio? Follow-Up: What is the faculty and staff turnover from year to year and what are the most common reasons they leave early?
3. What is your homework policy? Follow-Up: How much homework is there on a nightly basis?
4. What extracurricular activities does your school offer? Sports? Clubs? Competitions? Community service? Follow-Up: How does the school view the role of community service?
5. What are the policies regarding digital learning Vs traditional teaching methods?
6. Which world languages do you offer? How many languages can a child study from high school level?
7. How do you support a student’s strengths and weaknesses? Follow-Up: How do you assist students who have academic, social or emotional difficulties?
8. How does your school differentiate learning? Follow-Up: Do you have a Gifted programme?
9. What is your approach to dealing with behavioral issues? Follow-Up: Does the school have an anti-bullying policy? What is the policy and how is it implemented?
10. What is student life like? Follow-Up: What activities do you have to help transition new students into the academic and social life of the school?
11. How is your school operated and governed? Follow-Up: What are some of the school’s greatest accomplishments?
12. What are your teachers’ qualifications and what professional development opportunities do you offer them? Follow-Up: What are the top three skills or assets you look for when hiring faculty and staff?
13. What kind of students are you looking for? Follow-Up: How do you measure individual achievement and progress?
14. How engaged are your parents? Follow-Up: What kind of activities do parents participate in to contribute to school life? What are your expectations of parents within your school community?
15. How do you handle hygiene and sickness, in particular with COVID? Follow-Up: Is there still social-distancing?

Secondary School Questions

1. What is your school’s college guidance programme?
2. How does your school help students build essential life skills before college?
3. How does your school personalize the educational experience?
4. hat are the students’ achievements and what support is in place for students do succeed well in exams?
5. What have been some of the student’s most positive experiences so far?
6. How do you help teens to manage their academic workload?
7. What programmes are in place to assist students who might become overwhelmed with their studies?
8. What electives, sports, and service opportunities are available?
9. Are after-school tutoring services available? Follow up: Which subjects and when does the tutoring start?
10. Do students have the opportunity to graduate early?