International Schools Hong Kong 2027: Rankings, Fees & Admissions

Hong Kong has 53 international schools, according to the Education Bureau, offering IB, British (IGCSE and A level), American, Canadian, Australian and several national curricula. Tuition for 2026/27 runs from about HK$100,000 a year at the most affordable schools to over HK$270,000 at schools like Hong Kong International School and Kellett, and many add a capital levy of HK$24,000 to HK$60,000 a year unless you hold a debenture. There is no official ranking: on 2026 IB Diploma results, German Swiss International School (42), Chinese International School (39.9) and Victoria Shanghai Academy (39.1) led among international schools, against a Hong Kong average of 37.02.

This guide is for parents moving to Hong Kong for work. It covers how schools compare, what they cost, how admissions and debentures work, and how to choose. If you're a teacher looking for work rather than a parent, see our guide to international school jobs in Hong Kong.

How Many International Schools Are There in Hong Kong?

According to the Education Bureau, there were 53 international schools in the 2025/26 school year, including one special school. They offered about 48,400 places and had about 44,700 students, so roughly 3,700 places were empty across the system.

That headline surplus is misleading. The spare places are mostly in particular year groups and at particular schools. Popular schools still run waiting lists, especially in the early primary years and at the lower-fee end, so applying early still matters.

Around two thirds of students are non-local. The Education Bureau's 2025/26 figures put the non-local share at 66.2%.

If you're still at the job-hunting stage of a move, you can browse English-speaking roles on ExpatJobBoard.com. We list thousands of jobs in Hong Kong that don't require Cantonese or Mandarin.

What Are the Best International Schools in Hong Kong?

There's no official ranking of Hong Kong's international schools. The closest thing parents have is exam results, and the most comparable is the IB Diploma, which many schools offer. Here are the 2026 IB averages reported by international schools, as compiled by HK Schools from school announcements.

Source: school-reported 2026 IB results compiled by HK Schools; Hong Kong average and global average as reported for the May 2026 session.

According to the same figures, Hong Kong's 2,912 IB candidates averaged 37.02 in 2026, well above the global average of 30.88. The South China Morning Post reported at least 73 perfect scores of 45 from 17 Hong Kong schools.

Use results carefully. Selective schools with bilingual entry tests will always post high averages, and a school that keeps every student in the IB rather than steering weaker ones elsewhere can look worse on paper while being better for your child. The schools that ask most of children also tend to have the hardest entry.

What Curricula Do Hong Kong International Schools Teach?

IB schools in Hong Kong

The IB is the most common route. Many schools run the full continuum (Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma), including ESF schools, Hong Kong Academy, Canadian International School, Victoria Shanghai Academy and Chinese International School.

A level and British curriculum schools

British-style schools teach the English National Curriculum through IGCSE, and some finish with A levels. Kellett School, Harrow International School and Shrewsbury International School are examples. Several ESF secondaries teach IGCSE then the IB Diploma rather than A levels, so check the sixth-form route before you apply.

American and Canadian schools

Hong Kong International School and the American School Hong Kong follow US-style curricula with AP courses. Canadian International School combines the Ontario curriculum with the IB.

National schools

French, German, Swiss, Singaporean, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian and Australian schools run their national programmes, often with an English or international stream. Many accept children of other nationalities.

How Much Are International School Fees in Hong Kong?

Fees are the second biggest cost for most expat families after rent. Here are published 2026/27 tuition figures for a range of schools.

Source: each school's published fee schedule for 2026/27.

At the lower end, Sassy Mama's 2026/27 survey of school fee schedules lists primary tuition of around HK$101,500 at Kiangsu and Chekiang International Section, HK$105,500 at Lantau International School and around HK$145,000 at ESF primary schools. ESF secondary schools sit around HK$174,000 to HK$188,000.

Fees rise most years. ESF Renaissance College's 2026/27 increase, for example, was 4.1%.

For how school fees fit into a full family budget, see our guide to the cost of living in Hong Kong.

What Is the Cheapest International School in Hong Kong?

On published 2026/27 fees, the most affordable options for primary are Kiangsu and Chekiang International Section, Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School and Lantau International School, all around HK$100,000 to HK$130,000 a year. ESF primaries are next, around HK$145,000.

Cheaper doesn't mean worse. Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School, a non-profit with fees well below the top tier, had six students with perfect IB scores in 2026, according to the South China Morning Post. The trade-off is usually facilities, class size or a stronger Chinese-language element.

How Do Debentures and Capital Levies Work?

Most private international schools fund buildings through debentures, capital certificates or an annual capital levy. The three work differently.

• Annual capital levy: A non-refundable charge every year, usually HK$24,000 to HK$60,000, paid on top of tuition if you don't hold a debenture.
• Debenture: A large upfront payment, often refundable without interest when your child leaves. Kellett's Corporate Debenture is HK$1 million, HKIS's family debenture is HK$3 million and some schools sell premium versions above HK$5 million. Debentures often give admission priority.
• Nomination rights: ESF sells Individual Nomination Rights at HK$500,000 for its primary and secondary schools, which give fast-track priority if the child meets admission requirements.

Many companies buy corporate debentures for employees. If you're negotiating a package, ask whether the employer holds one at your preferred school. That single question can be worth more than a salary bump. Our guide to the expat package in Hong Kong covers how school benefits are taxed.

How Do International School Admissions Work?

Admissions are the hard part, not fees. Here's how it usually works.

1. Shortlist by location and curriculum. Most families pick a school first, then a flat near it. School buses help, but a 50-minute ride each way is common.
2. Apply early. Many schools open applications more than a year before entry. ESF's Year 1 application window for August 2027 entry ran from 1 to 30 September 2026 and is now closed; later applications go on a waiting list.
3. Pay the application fee. HKIS charges HK$2,000, Hong Kong Academy HK$3,000 and Shrewsbury HK$2,800.
4. Assessment and interview. Expect a play-based assessment for young children and tests in English and maths for older ones. Bilingual schools test Chinese.
5. Offer and deposit. Offers usually need a quick response and a deposit or levy payment.
6. Waiting lists. If you don't get a place, stay on the list. Expat families move often, so places open during the year.

Arriving mid-year is harder but not impossible. Call admissions offices directly, ask which year groups have space, and be flexible on campus.

Are There Boarding Schools in Hong Kong?

Very few. Harrow International School Hong Kong is the best known, offering boarding from Year 6. Its last published boarding fee, for 2024-25, was HK$125,678 a year on top of tuition, for five nights a week.

Most Hong Kong families don't need boarding, and most international schools are day schools. If you need boarding, many families look at UK boarding schools instead.

How to Choose the Right School

• Check the official list. The Education Bureau's international schools search lists every registered school with its curriculum and location.
• Think about the exit route. If you might move back to the UK, a British or IB school keeps options open. For North America, a US or Canadian school can make university applications simpler.
• Visit, or at least video call. The feel of a school matters more than its average score.
• Consider the commute. Southside, Pok Fu Lam, Kowloon Tong and Sai Kung all have school clusters. Our guide to rent and the best neighbourhoods for expats shows which areas suit families.
• Ask about Mandarin. Some schools teach it daily, some barely at all.
• Check the levy and debenture rules before accepting. These can add hundreds of thousands of dollars.

FAQs: International Schools in Hong Kong

How many international schools are there in Hong Kong?

53, including one special school, according to the Education Bureau's 2025/26 figures. They provide about 48,400 places.

What is the best international school in Hong Kong?

There's no official ranking. On 2026 IB Diploma averages, German Swiss International School (42), Chinese International School (39.9) and Victoria Shanghai Academy (39.1) led the international schools that published results. The best school for your child depends on curriculum, location and fit.

How much are international school fees in Hong Kong?

Roughly HK$100,000 to HK$280,000 a year in tuition for 2026/27. Many schools also charge an annual capital levy of HK$24,000 to HK$60,000 or require a debenture.

What is the cheapest international school in Hong Kong?

On 2026/27 fees, Kiangsu and Chekiang International Section, Lantau International School and Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School are among the cheapest, at around HK$100,000 to HK$130,000 a year for primary.

Which international schools in Hong Kong offer the IB?

Many do, including all ESF secondary schools, German Swiss International School, Chinese International School, Victoria Shanghai Academy, Canadian International School, Hong Kong Academy and French International School.

Which schools in Hong Kong offer A levels?

British-style schools such as Kellett School and Harrow International School offer A levels. Most ESF schools teach IGCSE followed by the IB Diploma rather than A levels.

When should I apply to international schools in Hong Kong?

As early as you can, ideally 12 months or more before entry. ESF's Year 1 window for August 2027 closed on 30 September 2026, and many private schools run waiting lists for popular years.

Do international schools in Hong Kong accept local students?

Yes. Local students make up about a third of places: in 2025/26, 66.2% of international school students were non-local, according to the Education Bureau.

What is a school debenture in Hong Kong?

A large upfront payment, sometimes refundable, that funds a school's buildings and usually gives admission priority or exempts you from the annual levy. Amounts range from about HK$200,000 for a capital certificate to HK$20 million for Kellett's top debenture.

Are there boarding schools in Hong Kong?

Only a handful. Harrow International School Hong Kong offers weekly boarding from Year 6, with a published 2024-25 boarding fee of HK$125,678 on top of tuition.

Key Takeaways

• Hong Kong has 53 international schools with about 48,400 places, according to the Education Bureau.
• 2026/27 tuition ranges from about HK$100,000 to over HK$270,000 a year.
• Many schools add an annual capital levy of HK$24,000 to HK$60,000 or sell capital certificates and debentures costing from about HK$200,000 to HK$20 million.
• Hong Kong IB candidates averaged 37.02 in 2026 against a global average of 30.88.
• German Swiss International School led published 2026 IB averages among international schools at 42.
• ESF's Year 1 window for August 2027 entry closed on 30 September 2026; apply 12 months or more ahead.
• Ask your employer about corporate debentures before you accept an offer.

Find a Job That Pays for the School Run

School fees are a big line in any Hong Kong budget. Browse thousands of English-speaking jobs on ExpatJobBoard.com, none of which require Cantonese or Mandarin.